Qin Feng's extremely plain sentence "moisten your throat first" was like a Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, exploding deep in Princess Longji's heart.
Every word contained a magical power that she couldn't understand and couldn't resist.
She stood there blankly, looking at the man in front of her who was pouring tea for her with his own hands. Her mind went blank and she almost lost the ability to think.
Before coming, she had imagined countless scenarios of meeting.
Either the other party's domineering coercion, or the other party's cynicism, or the other party's hypocrisy and coercion.
She was even mentally prepared to be detained on the spot by the other party to blackmail Imperial Father.
But she didn't expect that it would be like this...
Gentle.
Yes, it is gentle.
The purest and most equal respect that transcends identity, position, and cultivation.
She had never felt this kind of respect from Heavenly Court, or from her own Imperial Father, who regarded majesty and authority as everything.
In that splendid but cold and impersonal Grand Pure Palace, she was his most beloved daughter, but she was also his pawn to demonstrate the majesty of the emperor and balance the forces of all parties.
Every smile and every salute she makes is given a strong political meaning.
But here, in this rumored devil's cave, in front of this so-called peerless madman, she is just a guest from afar.
That's all.
This huge contrast, like an irresistible warm current, instantly overwhelmed all the precautions and vigilance in Princess Longji's heart.
The princess's heart, which had been taught since childhood to put Heavenly Court's face first and Imperial Father's will first, was beating violently and uncontrollably at this moment.
"Many... thank you Alliance Leader."
Princess Longji's voice was trembling without even noticing it. She picked up the tea cup in a panic, and took a sip as if to cover up her gaffe.
The clear fragrance of tea instantly spread between the lips and teeth, followed by the throat, turning into a stream of extremely pure fairy energy, pouring into the limbs and bones.
Just a sip of tea made her Magic Power, which was a little frivolous due to the long journey, instantly become solid and thick!
This... this is Enlightenment Tea soaked with the leaves of Innate Spiritual Root!
Princess Longji felt horrified in his heart.
To entertain guests with such a treasure that even Daluo Golden Immortal would envy, how terrifying is the background of this Qin Feng Alliance Leader?
Forcibly suppressing the turbulent waves in his heart, Princess Longji took a deep breath and remembered his mission for this trip.
She slowly put down the tea cup, sorted out her emotions, and tried to make her voice sound calm and sincere.
Princess Longji stood up, gave Heavenly Court a formal salute to Qin Feng, kept his posture extremely low, and said softly, "Long Ji has met Qin Feng Alliance Leader. I came here this time on the order of Imperial Father and also for my aunt Yao Ji."
She carefully glanced at Yao Ji, who was looking calm next to her, and continued, "Imperial Father was just angry for a moment, but he still misses my aunt in his heart. Now that Imperial Father has calmed down, I would like to ask fellow Daoist fellow Daoist to let my aunt go back for Heavenly Court's sake. Heavenly Court, I am very grateful."
These words were said in a flawless manner, which not only made clear his intention, but also gave both parties a step down.
Attributing everything to Haotian's momentary anger, as long as Qin Feng is released, Heavenly Court can put the blame in the past.
In Long Ji's view, this is the biggest concession Imperial Father can make.
After she finished speaking, she looked at Qin Feng nervously, waiting for his reply.
However, Qin Feng still looked calm and relaxed, not even raising his eyelids, but just sipping the fragrant tea in the cup.
The atmosphere in the hall instantly fell into a subtle silence.
Just when Princess Longji was overwhelmed by the silence, a gentle but extremely firm voice sounded beside her.
"Long Ji."
Yao Ji stood up.
She walked up to Long Ji and ignored the remarks about "Heavenly Court's face" in her words. She just stretched out her hand and gently took her niece's cold palm.
Yao Ji's eyes were full of love and a hint of guilt, and he said softly, "Long Ji, aunt is not going back."
Boom!
Six simple words, but like an invisible giant hammer, it hit Princess Longji's heart hard, leaving her stunned for an instant.
No... not going back?
How is this possible?
Wasn't she forcibly detained by Qin Feng?
Doesn't she miss Heavenly Court and her relatives?
Yao Ji seemed to see through all the doubts and shock in Long Ji's heart. She took Long Ji's hand, asked her to look into her eyes, and said word by word, "This is my home. Qin Feng Alliance Leader is my benefactor, not a prisoner of mine. You go back and tell Imperial Father that you don't have to worry about me anymore."
Yao Ji's tone was so calm.
Her eyes were so clear.
There was even a touch of relaxation and peace on her face that came from the bottom of her heart, which Long Ji had never seen before.
This state cannot be faked!
Aunt Yaoji... she is true, she is willing to stay here!
This knowledge, like a thunder, completely shattered all the assumptions and preparations before Princess Longji came.
All the rhetoric she prepared, all the pros and cons analysis, became so pale and ridiculous in the face of Yao Ji's personal rejection.
The scene once fell into extreme embarrassment.
Princess Longji opened his mouth and stared blankly at his aunt, then at Qin Feng who remained silent next to him. For a moment, he didn't know what to say.
She felt like a self-indulgent clown who happily came to rescue a "distressed" princess, only to find that she lived a more nourishing and happier life in her "castle" than anyone else.
At this moment, the man who had remained silent from beginning to end finally put down the teacup in his hand.
The bottom of the cup collided with the jade table, making a crisp and soft sound, which also struck Princess Longji's heartstrings.
Qin Feng slowly raised his head, and for the first time, his eyes as deep as the starry sky truly fell on Princess Longji.
His eyes were calm, without any sense of oppression, but seemed to be able to penetrate the deepest pretense of people's hearts.
"Princess Longji."
Qin Feng spoke, his voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly in everyone's ears.
"Let me ask you."
"Is your trip here to protect your illusory 'face' Imperial Father, or do you really hope that your aunt can be happy and free?"
This question, like a supremely sharp Daoist sword, without any fancy skills, is so simple and direct, it penetrates the softest and most contradictory place in Princess Longji's heart!
Buzz!
Princess Longji's mind went blank for an instant!
Face?
Or happiness?
She had never thought about this problem and never dared to think about it!
In the teachings of Heavenly Court and Imperial Father, the face of Heavenly Court and the majesty of the emperor are the supreme truth!
Any personal emotion and happiness seem so insignificant in front of the word "face", and are even a price that can be sacrificed at will.
But...
But looking at the heartfelt smile on the aunt's face in front of me, feeling the warmth from her palms, and recalling the cold and ruthless eyes full of calculation and temptation when Imperial Father sent me here...
That so-called "face" seems so hypocritical and cold at this moment!
This question was like a heavy hammer, hitting Princess Longji's heart hard, leaving her speechless for an instant.
She felt like she had been stripped of all disguises and stood naked in front of everyone.
Loyalty and filial piety, reason and emotion, collided violently in her mind, tearing at her Primordial Spirit.
She wanted to retort, saying, "Of course I am doing this for my aunt's own good," but these words seemed so self-deceptive in front of Yao Ji's peaceful demeanor.
She wanted to say, "Heavenly Court's face is more important than anything else," but under the gaze of Qin Feng's all-seeing eyes, she couldn't say it no matter what.
Princess Longji's lips moved unconsciously, and the color of that beautiful face faded away and turned completely white.
She couldn't answer.